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Yes! In Connecticut, we survived another winter of storms, freezing cold, icicles, power outages, and slippery roads. Now comes our reward. I always think of spring as the real start of the year. All that burgeoning new life. The earth smells clean and fresh. There are so many things to appreciate, but here are three of my favorite sights and sounds (and one that makes me nervous)…

Those tiny red, furry blurs – At least that’s what new buds look like on the tops of trees, seen from a distance. Soon they’ll turn a light, tender green, delicate and ethereal. From there, they mature into the darker leaves that form canopies over our roads and rustle in the breeze. I try not to think about six months from now, when they’ll have lived their life span, falling to the ground in colorful, graceful arcs. But for now, we’re at the beginning, and I’m happy.

Mr. Barred Owl – I’m sure our backyard’s Barred Owl is always around, but us humans don’t hang out in the winter. (Which always make me wonder, how do these animals survive outside all year long? I guess that’s another blog post). There’s nothing lovelier than our first porch meals in April, with the wind chimes tinkling, hearing the Barred Owl’s cry that sounds like, “Who cooks for youuuuu?” We say that back to him and sometimes even get a “conversation” going.  Sometimes we catch him in midflight, majestic, magnificent, and of course, wise looking.

We’re here! – Like guests that always arrive early, the tiny purple crocuses by the back deck are the first flowering plants to show. “Let’s get this party started!” they seem to be saying, poking through the soil, eager and ready. Daffodil shoots aren’t far behind. “Don’t forget us!” Their green stems grow in a cluster in our backyard and before long, we have a bed of yellow trumpets like a royal fanfare. Peepers are also early arrivers, those little tree frogs calling for their mates, giving the sound of summer long before the real heat comes.

Oh God, not another rumble –Here’s the scary part: each morning I wake to the sound of the goldfinches building a new nest in our lilac bush outside the bedroom. Last year, I wrote about these tiny yellow birds and how the male kept seeing his own reflection in the window. Thinking it was an interloper, he unceasingly threw himself against the glass. Trouble was our terrier Libby thought he was trying to attack her. It all became a horrible, bark-filled misunderstanding. Now the goldfinches are back. Gulp.

Summer will be here soon with its day lilies, hummingbirds, honeysuckle, and green grass. But there’s something about these first, tentative weeks of spring that get me every time.

We survived winter. And now comes our reward.

 

What do you like most about spring? Comments are always welcome and if you’d like to share, please do.

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Comments(14)

  1. I love Spring. It’s my favorite season. Although it’s hard to tell the difference between seasons here in Los Angeles. The weather is nice and gardens are starting to bloom. Always so pretty and fresh.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Rebecca, Los Angeles is such a beautiful city. I love that its warm there all year round.

  2. The owl. I love that image. Yesterday I saw a gorgeous ruby throated hummingbird and I could hear woodpeckers. Spring.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Carol, Still haven’t seen hummingbirds. How wonderful you spotted one!

  3. Being in Florida, I miss the daffodils. My father grew them all over his yard and we lived in Meriden, home to the Daffodil Festival in Hubbard Park.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Jennifer, Daffodils start the whole thing. Love to look at them.

  4. I love the longer days, more sunlight! I love watching the rebirth. The two things I don’t like about Spring are my birthday (I can live without that) and the crazy temperature swings. You walk out of the house freezing and are boiling by mid-day.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Lauren, We have the temperature swings in CT too. It can be cold and rainy one day, hot and sunny the next.

  5. We had a Barred Owl in the woods behind us when we lived in Iowa. And yes, exactly, that’s what he says. We loved it. Then we met
    one at Andrew’s Boy Scout Camp. He was chained for the viewing. That’s some strong owl for sure. Who hoots for you? But your words about spring are lovely. We have daffodils and bluebells, so far. It’s supposed to be high 70s tomorrow and everything will pop.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Beth, Love this time of year. So sad about that chained barred owl. Hope he got to go free after that.

  6. Spring renews me! I’m with you on all of your positives!
    But, oh, boy, when rival gangs try to exist in the same neighbourhood…
    Someone ends up having to compromise.
    Or move… 😉

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Diane, Spring renews me too! And yes, when those rival gangs start competing, watch out.

  7. I love the longer hours of daylight, and the lightness the sun brings (when it’s not raining. We get a lot of rainy days in spring too!). Our crocus bloomed, daffodils too, waiting for the tulips.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Meryl, Love these longer days and so nice, we’re at the beginning.

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